Coin control switch



Feb. 28, 1956 D. GADDIS COIN CONTROL SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 20, 1952 Glen D. Gaddis INVENTOR.

BY 1mm Feb. 28, 1956 G. D. GADDIS com CONTROL SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 20, 1952 66 6 m9 5 .m. F 4 F 9 //V w 2% 0 w H a w E z v A w 8 2 2 M 2 3 2 1'4 w 6 8 2 8 2 2 2 7/ ////7/////////////// F 4 4 5 4 3 1/0 6 Glen D. Gaddis INVENTOR.

United States Patent COIN C-QNTR SL SWITCH Glen D. Gatltlis, Salt Lake City, Utah Application March 20, 1952, Serial No. 277,706 13 Claims. (Cl. lild- This invention relates to a coin control switch and particularly to a coin control apparatus to control the use of a motor vehicle.

The present invention, being fully automatic in operation so its use is not jeopardized by or subject to detailed instructions or open to tampering, provides a system whereby motor vehicles may be made available for public use under certain conditions.

For example, persons reporting for drivers license examination are usually expected to bring or have available a motor vehicle to drive over the test course with the examiner. This invention enables the entrepreneur to furnish a vehicle for such public use to persons who do not have one otherwise available. To have to maintain an attendant with such a service would make the cost prohibitive generally.

With this invention no attendant is necessary when each examiner carries a key that must be used in conjunction with the coin control. Even if an attendant must furnish the key, it can be someone otherwise employed in the vicinity.

The present invention also provides a system by which a plurality of vehicles may be readily controlled by a single attendant as may be provided for beginners to practice driving in an area laid out for the purpose. The attendant may also pursue other duties as operation of a service station.

This coin control with its ignition key and switch is in addition to the normal key and switch in parallel with it so that the owner may use the vehicle as desired otherwise.

The construction includes a coin control switch for making available the energy of the usual battery so that the control switch or special ignition switch may be turned on by the operator and a timing device which is energized by the application of a coin to the device and which will be only consuming the allotted time while the ignition key is turned on.

The invention also provides a system which upon payment of a predetermined fee will allow the predetermined amount of use of the car without limiting the interval during which the use is obtained.

The timing device of this invention employs a clock mechanism of the electrically wound type which after a predetermined interval will close a limit switch to discharge the coin from the coin control switch so that the switch will be de-energized and the vehicle will be incapable of use until a further coin has been deposited. Likewise, means is provided for discharging any coin upon the entrance of another similar coin.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an improved coin control switch.

It is another object of this invention to provide a coin controlled switch for motor vehicles, to make such vehicles suitable to oiier for short period rental to tl e public.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a coin control switch for determining the use of a motor vehicle.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a coin control switch will energize a timer operator which will determine total use of the vehicle.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a coin control switch from which any coin will be automatically ejected upon the insertion of the second coin.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a coin control switch which will make an additional key controlled switch operative.

Other objects and many of the attending advantages of this invention will be apparent from the detailed description taken in conjuction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a motor vehicle showing the coin controlled switch installed;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the coin switch chute of the device and taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section showing the switch arrangement in the chute and taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross section through the coin switch chute and taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical section of the timing device;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the lock control terminals;

Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a control finger as utilized in the chute coin switch;

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the limit switch of the timer in unwound position; and,

Figure 9 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electrical circuits of the device.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a motor vehicle indicated generally at 10 has a conventional instrument board 12 in which is mounted the usual ignition switch and also the parallel coil coin controlled ignition switch 14. The motor vehicle is provided with a source of electrical energy such as a battery 16 having a fuse 18 and being capable of being connected by the switch 14 to the ignition coil of an ignition system (not shown). The application of electrical energy from the battery 16 of the switch 14 is controlled by means of the coin operative timing switch presently to be described.

A coin control time switch 20 is mounted in any convenient portion of the vehicle such as under the dash board 12. Preferably the coin chute is housed in a suitable casing 22 in which is a coin opening 24. The coin opening 24 communicates with a chute 26 which is constructed to accommodate a predetermined size and weight of coin. The chute must necessarily pass the coin freely and it is generally desired to make the chute of a thickness of the coin, plus the one-sixteenth of an inch width greater than the width of the coin.

The chute 26 is consequently constructed of rectangular formation of the proper size for the selected coin and has a plurality of switches mounted longitudinally therein. A first switch 28 has a plurality of switch elements, which elements include a pair of resilient spring fingers. The switch 28 has a contact element 32 and a resilient contact element 34 which is normally biased to stay out of contact with the contact element 32. The switch likewise contains a finger 38 and the switch finger 40 which is also normally biased out of contact with the finger 38. In normal conditions, the terminals 32 and 38 will be connected to the source of energy 16 by any suitable circuit conductor and the spring fingers 34 and 40 will remain out of contact so that the source of energy will not be able to energize any other portion of the circuit. However, upon the passage of a coin 42, the size and weight of the coin will be such that the spring fingers 34 and 40 are pressed switch showing the into contact with the fingers 32 and 38 completing the circuit during the interval the coin is depressing the fingers 34 and 40. A second coin control switch 44 also has a plurality of switch elements likewise including a lower spring finger 46 and upper spring finger 48 and a second switch element having a lower spring finger 50 and upper spring finger 52. The terminals 46 and 50 being connected directly to the source 16 of potential and the terminals 48 and 52 are normally biased out of contact with theterminals 46 and 51). A stoprmember 54 is mounted adjacent the switch 44 and so located in the chute 26 that as a coin of a preselected size is passed therethrough, it will be retained by the stop 54 and any smaller coin will be rejected and passed through the stop into the receptacle 56. The receptacle 56 is provided with abottom opening door 58 supported by hinge 6t) and retained in position by means of a lock 62. The switch elements 48 and 52 being normally biased to unoperative position but being closed by the presence of a coin on the stop 54 so that the spring fingers 48 and 52 will be in contact with the terminals 46 and 50 to energize any circuit connected thereto. I

The chute 26 is preferably constructed of insulating material so that the spring fingers may be directly mounted thereon by any suitable fasteners such as screws 64. Various spring fingers are preferably substantially alike and are made of resilient conducting materials such as brass or copper and preferably of spring brass and are provided with a finger member 66 and a mounting member 68 having a mounting hole 70 therein so that the fingers may be readily attached and secured in fixed position by means of the screws 64.

The first switch 28 is utilized to momentarily energize a winding arrangement for a timing mechanism and for energizing any ejecting mechanism of the second switch 44. Switch 44 is utilized to control application of energy from the source 16 to the ignition system until such time as the timing apparatus shall disconnect the switch.

It is desirable that the chute 26 be of sufiicient length that a coin which passes through the switch 28 energizing the ejector mechanism will allow sufiicient time for the stop 54 to be again inserted in the chute 26 before the coin drops from the first switch to the position of the stop 54.

In order to properly control the time interval of use ofthe vehicle, a primary timer 72 (made of an electrically wound clock) is employed having a solenoid 78 and an armature 80. When the solenoid 78 is energized the armature 80 is drawn upward winding the mechanism. The weight of the armature and a spring (not shown) within the clock energize the mechanism. The lever 76 is moved about pivot point 79 by the armature 80 to wind the mechanism and separate contacts 112 and 114. The spring 74 is so situated as to give a snapping action to the closing of the contacts 112 and 114 when the armature 80 nears its lowest or unwound position since the lever is formed in two pieces 75 and 77 each having one end of the spring attached thereto. This is accomplished when the center line of the spring 74 crosses the lever point 79. The contact 114 is insulated from the clock mechanism and the case, and is connected to the coin releasing solenoid 116 by conductor 122. The timer solenoid 78 is energized from the source 16 by means of conductor 82 connected to the contact 32 of switch 28. Upon passage of the specified coin, the spring finger 34 will be pressed into contact with the terminal 32 closing the winding circuit 84, causing the winding action outlined above.

The escapement of primary timer 72 is pictured as an escapement wheel 110, and pallet or forked lever 108, pivoted as shown. The lever is actuated by the winding mechanism of the electrically wound clock or secondary timer 86 through link 138. A coin being in the lower chute switch 44, the clock 86 operates on current supplied through ignition switch 14, terminal 96 and conductor 98 to its own winding contacts 87 and 85 opening contacts 87 and 85. Each time clock or secondary timer 86 is unwound so as to close contacts 85, 87, and then wound by its solenoid, two points of the escapement wheel go by the fork 188. When the ignition switch 14 is turned off, the clock or secondary timer 86 is not rewound and the primary timer 72 discontinues unwinding until the switch is turned on again. Should the ignition switch be left on for the allotted time, the contacts 112 and 114 come together, closing the circuit to ground through the solenoid winding 118 causing the retaining pin 54 to withdraw from under the coin so that the coin drops from the switch 44. The ignition system of the vehicle is thereby turned off or deenergized.

A signal lamp 192 is energized through the conductor 100 to indicate to the operator when the ignition system is energized and to show that the allotted running time is being consumed.

The switch 14 is also provided with terminal 104 which is connected to the usual armoured cable 186 which extends between the switch 14 and the ignition system (not shown).

Accordingly, when the coin is resting on the stop 54 and closing the switch finger 48 on to the terminal 46, the switch 14 may be turned to energize the ignition system of the vehicle and during this interval it will also intermittently close the circuit to the control clock or secondary timer 86 so that the winding mechanism 88 will periodically operate the escapement 111 of the timer mechanism so that the lever 76 will be moved from wound to unwound position in steps controlled by the escapement mechanism. The lever 76 has a terminal 112 which in its unwound position makes contact with the terminal 114 carried in the casing of the primary timing device 72. The stop 54 is controlled by means of a solenoid 116 having a winding 118.

The presence of a coin on the stop 54 will close the spring finger 52 against the terminal 50 and energize the conductor 129 which is connected to the source 16 by means of the conductor 132. The other terminal of the coil 118 is connected to the terminal 114 of the limit switch by means of a conductor 122. When the limit switch is moved so that the terminals 112 and 114 are in contact a circuit will be closed through the limit circuit 122 to energize the coil 118 of the solenoid 116 to move and draw the stop 54 from under the coin in the switch 44. Withdrawal of the stop allows the coin to drop out of the switch 44 into the receptacle 56 and thereby open the circuit both to the solenoid coil 118 and to the key controlled switch 14.

It is desirable to discharge any coin that is on the stop 54 upon the insertion of a second coin into the chute 26 consequently, a release circuit is provided including a release switch 126 which is connected parallel with the contacts 112 and 114. The release switch 126 is controlled by means of a magnetic device 128 having a winding 130. The winding 138 has one terminal extending over the re lease circuit 133 to be connected to the finger 48 of switch 28. The passage of a coin through the switch 28 will depress the finger 40 against the terminal 38 so that the coil 130 will be energized over the release circuit including the conductor 82, the spring finger 4i and the release circuit 133. Energization of the coil 130 will draw the switch 126 into contact so that a circuit will be formed upon the conductor 126 through the release switch 126 to ground, thereby energizing the coil 118 so that the solenoid 116 will withdraw the stop 54 and eject any coin mounted thereon. The release of the coin on the stop 54 will de-energize the solenoid 116 so the stop 54 will be reinserted in the chute 26 during the interval when the coin passes from switch 28 to switch 44.

In the operation of the device, a key to the switch 14 is supplied to the user who deposits the necessary coin in the slot 24 and the passage of the coin through the chute 26 will wind the primary timer 72 and the deposit of the coin on the stop 54 will close the circuit be- 5 tween the battery 16 and the ignition switch 14. The operation of the key controlled switch 14 will allow energization of the ignition circrit and simultaneously energize the control clock or secondary primer 86 so that the escapement 110 will start reversing the position of the lever 76 at the end of a predetermined time interval of use, contacts 112 and 114 of the limit switch will close and discharge the coin from the stop 54, breaking the circuit between the battery 16 and the manually controlled switch 14. Obviously, as long as the user has possession of the key to the switch 14 he may continue to use the vehicle by inserting the requisite coin in the chine 26. The release circuit prevents the accumulation of coins in the chute 26 and any possible damage to the device. This is acomplished by means of the release circuit which is actuated by the passage of the coin through the switch 28 so that any coin held on the stop 54 will be ejected into the container 56 and the stop returned to position to retain the coin which has just passed through the switch It will accordingly be seen that the present invention provides a convenient means of furnishing a vehicle for limited public use and collecting a fee therefor or for the operation of a plurality of vehicles, with limited attendance, and be assured that proper collection for the use of the vehicles is obtained.

For purposes of exemplification a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown, and described to the best present understanding thereof, however, it will be apparent to those skilled in the arts, any changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the true spirit of the invention.

Having described the invention, what .is claimed as new is:

1. In a vehicle having an ignition system including a source of electric energy and a control lock for said system, a timer comprising a coin chute, a first switch mounted in said chute, said first switch being operable by a coin passing through said chute, a primary timing device, electric winding means for said primary timing device, circuit means including said first switch conecting said winding means to said source of energy, passage of a proper coin through said chute momentarily closing said first switch to energize said winding means, a second switch mounted in said chute in spaced relation to said first switch, a coin stop in said chute adjacent said second switch, a secondary timing device operatively connected to said primary timing device, circuit means including said second switch operable to connect said secondary timing device to said source of energy, said second switch being closed by a coin retained by said coin stop.

2. In a vehicle ignition system a timer comprising a coin chute, first and second switches mounted in said chute, said switches being longitudinally spaced in said chute, a primary timing device, an electric winding means for said prinn ry timing device, a source of electric energy, circuit means including said first switch connecting said source to said winding means, passage of a proper coin through said chute actuating said first switch, a secondary timer operatively connected to said p ima y timer, circuit means including said second switch connecting said secondary timer to said source, a stop :novable into and out of coin retaining relation with said chute adjacent said second switch, said second switch being closed by a coin retained by said stop.

3. In a vehicle ignition system a timer comprising a coin chute, first and second switches mounted in said chute, said switches being longitudinally spaced in said chute, a primary timing device, an electric winding means operatively connected to said primary timing device, a source of electric energy, circuit means including said first switch connecting said source in energizing relation to said winding means, the passage or" a proper coin through said chute actuating said first switch, a secondary timer operatively connected to said primary timer, said circuit means including said second switch connecting said secondary timer to said source, a stop mounted for movement into and out of coin retaining relation in said chute adjacent said second switch, said second switch being closed by a coin retained by said stop, a solenoid operatively connected to said stop, a switch actuated by said primary timer, circuit means including said timer switch energizing said solenoid for releasing a coin held by said stop.

4-. in a vehicle ignition system a timer comprising a coin chute, first and second switches mounted in said chute, said switches being longitudinally spaced in said chute, a primary timing device, an electric winding means connected to said primary timing device, a source of electric energy, circuit means including said first switch connecting said source to said winding means, passage of a proper coin actuating said first switch, a secondary timer for said primary timer, circuit means including said second ch connecting said secondary timer to said source, a stop movable into and out of coin retaining relation in said chute adjacent said second switch, said second switch being closed by a coin retained by said stop, an ignition switch, said ignition switch controlling the circuit between said second switch and said secondary timer.

5. In a vehicle ignition system a timer comprising a coin chute, first and second switches mounted in said chute, said switches being longitudinally spaced in said chute, a primary timing device, an electric winding means connected to said primary timing device, a source of electric energy, circuit means including said first switch connecting said source to said winding means, passage of a proper coin through said chute actuating said first switch, a secondary timer operatively connected to said primary timer, circuit means including said second switch connecting said secondary timer to said source, a stop movable into and out of coin retaining relation in said chute adjacent said second switch, said second switch being closed by a coin retained by said stop, a solenoid operatively connected to said stop, solenoid actuating circuit means including said second switch, a coin releasing switch in said solenoid actuating circuit, a releasing circuit including said releasing switch, said releasing circuit being controlled by the passage of a coin through said first switch.

6. In a vehicle ignition system a timer comprising a coin chute, first and second switches mounted in said chute, said switches being longitudinally spaced in said chute, a primary timing device, an electric winding means connected to said primary timing device, a source of electric energy, circuit means including said first switch connecting said source to said winding means, passage of a proper coin actuating said first switch, a secondary timer operatively connected to said primary timer, circuit means including said second switch connecting said secondary timer to said source, a stop movable into and out of coin retaining relation in said chute adjacent said second switch, said second switch being closed by a coin retained by said stop, a key controlled lock switch, said lock switch determining the operation of said ignition system and said secondary timer when said second switch is closed.

7. in a vehicle ignition system a timer comprising a coin chute, first and second switches disposed in said chute, said switches being longitudinally spaced in said chute, a primary timing device, an electric winding means connected to said primary timing device, a source of electric energy, circuit means including said first switch connecting said source to said winding means, passage of a proper coin through said chute actuating said first switch, a secondary timer operatively connected to said primary timer, circuit means including said second switch connecting said secondary timer to said source, a stop movable into and out of coin retaining relation in said chute adjacent said second switch, said second switch being closed by a coin retained by said stop, a manually controlled lock switch, said lock switch determining the operation of said ignition system and said secondary timer when said second switch is closed, a solenoid operatively connected to said stop, a limit switch in said primary timer, an actuating circuit connected to said solenoid, said actuating circuit including said second switch, said limit switch being operable when said second switch is operatively connected to said primary timing device, av

source of electric energy, circuit means including said first switch connecting said source to said winding means, passage of a proper coin through said chute actuating said first switch, a secondary timer operatively connected to said primary timer, circuit means including said second switch connecting said secondary timer to said source, a stop movable into and out of coin retaining relation in said chute adjacent said second switch, said second switch being closed by a coin retained by said stop, a manually controlled lock switch, said lock switch determining the operation of said ignition system and said secondary timer when said second switch is closed, a solenoid operatively connected to said stop, a limit switch in said primary timer, an actuating circuit connected to said solenoid, said actuating circuit including said second switch, said limit switch being operable when said second switch is closed to energize said solenoid and discharge a coin held by said stop, a releasing switch connected in parallel with said limit switch, a releasing circuit, said releasing circuit including said first switch, said releasing switch being actuated in response to passage of a proper coin through said chute.

9. A time controlled ignition switch for controlling the use of a motor vehicle, comprising first and second sequentially actuated coin controlled switches, each of said switches including a plurality of resilient contact fingers, said fingers being biased to open position, a sotuce of electrical energy, a primary timing device, an actuating spring operating said primary timing device, an electric winding element operatively connected to said primary timing device, a winding circuit including one of the spring fingers of said first switch, said first switch being responsive to passage of a predetermined coin to energize said winding element, an electrically operated secondary timer operatively connected to said primary timer, a control circuit including one of the contact fingers of said second switch, a coin stop in proximity to said second switch, said contact finger being closed in response to the presence of a coin on said stop, a lock switch determining the energization of said secondary timing device when said contact finger is closed.

10. A time controlled ignition switch for controlling the use of a motor vehicle, comprising first and second sequentially actuated coin controlled switches, each of said switches including a plurality of resilient contact fingers, said fingers being biased to open position, a source of electrical energy, a primary timing device, an actuating spring operatively connected to said timing device, an electric winding element operatively connected to said timing device, a winding circuit including one of the spring fingers of said first switch, said switch being responsive to passage of a predetermined coin to energize said winding element, an electrically operated secondary timer, a control circuit including one of the contact fingers of said second switch, a coin stop in proximity to said second switch, said contact finger being closed in response to the presence of a coin on said stop, a lock switch determining the energization of said control device when said contact finger is closed, an escapement in said primary timing device, said escapement being actuated by operation of said secondary timing device, a limit switch actuated by said primary timing device, a solenoid operatively connected to said stop, an actuating circuit for said solenoid including said limit switch and another finger of said second switch, said limit switch energizing said solenoid to discharge a coin held by said stop.

11. A time controlled ignition switch for controlling the use of a motor vehicle, comprising first and second sequentially actuated coin controlled switches, each of said switches including a plurality of resilient contact fingers, said fingers being biased to open position, a source of electrical energy, a primary timing device, an electric inding element driving said primary timing device, a winding circuit including one of the spring fingers of said first switch, said switch being responsive to passage of a predetermined coin to energize said winding element, an electrically operated secondary timing device, a control circuit including one of the contact fingers of said second switch, a coin stop in proximity to said second switch, said contact finger being closed in response to the presence or a coin on said stop, a lock switch determining the energization of said control device when said contact finger is closed, an escapement in said timing device, said escapement being actuated by operation of said secondary timing device, a limit switch actuated by said primary timing device, a solenoid operatively connected to said stop, an actuating circuit for said solenoid including said limit switch and another finger of said second switch, said limit switch energizing said solenoid to discharge a coin held by said stop, a releasing switch connected in parallel relation to said limit switch, a releasing circuit, said releasing circuit including another finger of said first switch and actuating means for said releasing switch, said releasing switch being operative in response to passage of a coin through said first switch to energize said solenoid to discharge any coin held by said stop.

12. In a vehicle ignition system a timer comprising a coin chute, first and second switches positioned in said chute, said switches being longitudinally spaced in said chute, a primary timing device, an electric winding means connected to said primary timing device, a source of electric energy, circuit means including said first switch connecting said source in energizing relation to said winding means, passage of a proper coin actuating said first switch, a secondary timer operatively connected to said primary timer, circuit means including said second switch connecting said secondary timer to said source, a stop interposed in said chute adjacent said second switch, said second switch being closed by a coin retained by said stop, said circuit energized by said second switch being in series with the normal ignition supply circuit including the normal ignition switch, whereby said vehicle may be available for limited public use.

13. In a vehicle ignition system a timer comprising a coin chute, first and second switches arranged in said chute, said switches being longitudinally spaced in said chute, a primary timing device, an electric winding means connected to said primary timing device, a source of electric energy, circuit means including said first switch operable to energize said winding means, passage of a proper coin actuating said first switch, a secondary timer operatively connected to said primary timer, a'circuit means including said second switch connecting said secondary timer to said source, a stop extending into said chute adjacent said second switch, said second switch being closed by a coin retained by said stop, a key controlled lock switch, said lock switch determining the operation of said ignition system and said secondary timer when said second switch is closed, the winding action of said primary timer being accomplished by said circuit means independently of the operation of said lock switch, when said proper coin passes through said first switch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNZTED STATES PATENTS 964,845 Browne July 19, 1910 1,069,558 Majors Aug. 5, 1913 2,106,042 Stark Jan. 18, 1938 

